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(The Times, Magnus Linklater 29/06/05)

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Title: Fish in the Sky

Author: Fridrik Erlings

Translator: Fridrik Erlings

Illustrator:

Publisher: Meadowside Books

Date Published: 2008

Format: Paperback

Genre: Other

Book Category: Fiction

Age Range: 12+

Original Title: Written in Icelandic and translated into English by the author

Country of Origin: Iceland

Fish in the Sky

by Fridrik Erlings
Age Range: 12+

Josh muses that he is "a year closer to being considered a grown-up ..... But until then I’m just as far from being considered a grown-up as I am from being a child; I’m the missing link in the evolution of Homo sapiens". As Josh Stephenson starts his 13th year, his life begins to change. Josh misses the dad he hardly sees. His father works on the cargo ship, the Orca and since his mum and dad split up six years before, Josh has only seen him infrequently. When 17 year old cousin Trudy moves into their house with his bedroom becoming a corridor to her room he feels that his private space has been invaded. His mother works long hours and doesn’t appear to notice how Josh feels. As he begins to question the meaning of life and creation, he finds himself trapped hiding in the bathroom while Trudy is having a bath and from then on everything changes, not least himself. He plays truant from school, rebels against his teachers and experiences pangs of a ‘first love’ as he searches for answers to explain the way he feels.

“My childhood has faded like a bright summer day ...... That day has now come to evening. Before me is the black forest of my grown up years ....... I’ve been pushed forwards and there’s no turning back. I’m empty inside, like the curled up skin from an apple”.

Fish in the Sky is a powerful piece of literature that endeavours to explore the juxtaposition of teenage angst and sexual awakening. Complex moral questions, full of literary symbolism, are posed by the teenage protagonist, with no simple solution ever offered. It tackles serious themes, but always with an equal measure of compassion and humour. This is an exceptional ‘coming of age’ book that will particularly appeal to teenage boys as it captures the difficult but exciting transition from childhood to adolescence.

Erling’s mother tongue is Icelandic, but his knowledge of the English language and his eloquent and beautiful prose combine to make this an outstanding novel. The book is dedicated to the memory of Bernard Scudder whose translation of Fish in the Sky was discovered and was immensely helpful during the editing process. This is the second novel from the multi-award winning author of Benjamin Dove.

Review by Alfie Hills (2010)

Fish in the Sky is a great book and made me stay up very late reading. The first lines hooked me, "I am a star, a twinkling star. I’m an infant on the edge of a grave and an old man in a cradle, both a fish in the sky and a bird in the sea." Immediately, the journey that the central character, Josh, is going on is evident as a teenager who doesn’t fit in with the world around him, is unsure of his own identity and who has to face up to some tough aspects of adolescence.

I really appreciated that Fridrik Erlings included serious issues like teenage suicide, religion, puberty, bullying and sexual assault. This made me feel like he treated his target audience, which I assume are teenagers, with respect by including a wide range of controversial subjects which teenagers may face as they grown up.

The way the author writes brings situations to life and can make you feel a whole range of emotions. He makes you feel angry, sad, thoughtful and most importantly makes you laugh. The different relationships between each character were made clear by the author’s decision to use the central character, Josh, as the narrator throughout the book.

Just like in real life, the relationships between each character changed as the story evolved. For example, Josh and Gertrude loathe each other at first but the true connection between them becomes evident when Gertrude sticks by him and doesn’t judge him during hard times in his life.

My favorite part of the book was when Josh was talking to his younger self, contemplating his madness following his depression. This was a turning point for him in the story as he had the opportunity to honestly reflect on his life and take responsibility for his feelings and his actions.

Ultimately, Fish in the Sky is a classic example of an inspiring read. I enjoyed every sentence on every page. The story left me with the sense that relationships with friends can survive, adapt and become stronger through the often difficult transition from childhood to adolescence.